The next day, an army of a thousand stone soldiers charged from the gates of the city, running down the highway after the Lifeless who had left the day before. Vivenna stood outside the city, leaning against the wall, watching them go. How often did I stand under the gaze of those D’Denir, she thought, Read the full article…

The closet door opened, letting in lanternlight. Vivenna looked up, gagged and bound, at Vasher’s silhouette. He dragged Nightblood behind him, covered—as usual—by his silver sheath. Looking very tired, Vasher knelt and undid her gag. “About time,” she noted. He smiled wanly. “I don’t have any Breath remaining,” he said quietly. “It was very hard Read the full article…

Bluefingers led Siri—held by several Lifeless—up to the fourth floor of the palace. The top floor. They entered a room lavishly decorated with rich colors, even for Hallandren. Lifeless guards there let them pass, bowing their heads to Bluefingers. All the Lifeless in the city are controlled by Bluefingers and his scribes, she thought. But Read the full article…

Vivenna hung outside the window, breathing deeply, sweating heavily. She’d peeked inside. Denth was in there, as was Tonk Fah. Vasher was hanging from a hook on the ceiling. He was bloodied, and he held no Breath, but he seemed to be alive. Can I stop both Denth and Tonk Fah? she thought. Her arms Read the full article…

“There is fighting at the front gates, Your Excellency,” the bloodied soldier said. “The insurgents are fighting each other there. We . . . we might be able to get out.” Siri felt a stab of relief. Finally, something going right. Treledees turned toward her. “If we can get into the city, the people will rally around their Read the full article…

What’s the word on the street, Tuft?” Vivenna asked, sidling up to a beggar. He snorted, holding out his cup to those few who passed in the early light. Tuft was always one of the first to arrive in the mornings. “Why do I care?” he said. “Come on,” Vivenna said. “You kicked me out Read the full article…

Vivenna waited up for Vasher. He did not return. She paced in the small, one-room hideout—the sixth in a series. They never spent more than a few days in each location. Unadorned, it held only their bedrolls, Vasher’s pack, and a single flickering candle. Vasher would have chastised her for wasting the candle. For a Read the full article…

Lightsong sat in one of the rooms of his palace, surrounded by finery, a cup of wine in his hand. Despite the very late hour, servants moved in and out, piling up furniture, paintings, vases, and small sculptures. Anything that could be moved. The riches sat in heaps. Lightsong lounged back on his couch, ignoring Read the full article…

I’m glad you came back for me, Nightblood said. It was very lonely in that closet. Vasher didn’t reply as he walked across the top of the wall surrounding the Court of Gods. It was late, dark, and quiet, though a few of the palaces still shone with light. One of those belonged to Lightsong Read the full article…